Dual umbrella

ABSTRACT

An umbrella in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a canopy that is extendable into an extra wide configuration to cover two users. In accordance with one embodiment the umbrella opens to a first open position to provide coverage for one person and expands to a second open position to provide coverage for a second person.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/222,853 filed Jul. 2, 2009entitled DUAL UMBRELLA, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to an umbrella with an extendable canopyto provide extended coverage to cover multiple users.

2. Related Art

Umbrellas have been in use to protect users from rain for many years.One problem with umbrellas, however, is that they are generally onlysufficiently large to protect a single user. Thus, each user willgenerally have to have their own umbrella.

It would be beneficial to have an umbrella that is extendable toaccommodate multiple users.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an umbrella with asingle handle that provides protection for multiple users.

An umbrella in accordance with an embodiment of the present applicationincludes a first vertical shaft, a plurality of spars pivotably mountedon the first vertical shaft, and a canopy connected to the spars,wherein the spars are movable from a closed position to a first openposition to provide a first area of protection under the canopy; andwherein at least one spar of the plurality of spars is movable to asecond open position from the first open position to provide a secondarea of protection, larger than the first area of protection.

A method of operating an umbrella in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present application includes steps of providing a first verticalshaft, mounting a canopy on the first vertical shaft, raising the canopyfrom a closed position to a first open position with a first protectedarea under the canopy; and moving at least a portion of the canopy fromthe first open position to a second open position with a secondprotected area under the canopy, the second protected area larger thanthe first protected area.

An umbrella in accordance with another embodiment of the presentapplication includes a first vertical shaft, a second vertical shaft, aplurality of spars pivotably mounted on the first vertical shaft, atleast one spar pivotally mounted on the second vertical shaft, a canopyconnected to the spars, a first movable member mounted on the firstvertical shaft and configured to move on the first vertical shaft toraise the spars from a closed position to a first open position toprovide a first area of protection under the canopy and a second movablemember mounted on the first vertical shaft and configured to move on thefirst vertical shaft to move the at least one spar of the plurality ofspars to a second open position from the first open position to providea second area of protection, larger than the first area of protection.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the invention which refers tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an umbrella suitable foruse by two people in accordance with an embodiment of the presentapplication.

FIG. 2 is a view of the umbrella of FIG. 1 from below the canopy.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an umbrella in accordance with anembodiment of the present application where the canopy is opened to afirst position.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an umbrella in accordance with anembodiment of the present application where the canopy is opened to asecond position.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an umbrella in accordance with anembodiment of the present application where the canopy is opened to athird position.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a cross section of the pole of the umbrellaof FIGS. 3-5.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an umbrella in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present application.

FIG. 8 illustrates the umbrella of FIG. 7 in a first open position.

FIG. 9 illustrates the umbrella of FIG. 7 expanding into a second openposition.

FIG. 10 illustrates a more detailed view of a portion the umbrella ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates the umbrella of FIG. 7 between the first and secondopen positions.

FIG. 12 illustrates the umbrella of FIG. 7 in the second open position.

FIG. 13A is a detailed view of a lower movable member, upper movablemember and brackets of the umbrella of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13B is a detailed view of a lower movable member, upper movablemember and brackets of the umbrella of FIG. 9

FIG. 14 is an exemplary illustration of an umbrella in accordance withan alternative embodiment of the present application utilizing more thanone scissors structure.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of the umbrella of FIG. 7 including thecanopy.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of the umbrella of FIG. 8 including thecanopy.

FIG. 17 is an illustration of the umbrella of FIG. 12 including thecanopy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An umbrella 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentapplication is illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated, the umbrella 10includes a handle 12 connected to a single pole 14 that supports thecanopy 16 via a plurality of folding risers 18 and spars 22. The risers18 are folded and unfolded via the slidable ring 20 to which they arerotatably attached. When the ring 20 slides up the pole 14, the risers18 fold out to lift spars 22 and the canopy 16 is extended. When thering 20 slides back down, the spars 22 fold in toward the pole 14 andthe canopy 16 collapses. The risers 18 are rotatably attached to spars22 that are provided in the canopy 16 to provide support therefore andthat extend outward as the risers 18 fold out.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, for example, the risers 18 that extend to theleft in FIGS. 1 and 2 are longer than the other risers, such that thecanopy 16 is extended to that side. In this manner, the canopy 16 issufficiently wide to cover two people while only one person holds thehandle 12.

In a preferred embodiment, a single button is provided to both open andclose the umbrella 10. In addition, a battery powered flashlight ispreferably positioned in the handle 12 as well.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the umbrella 10 inwhich the canopy 16 may be opened to different widths. In FIG. 3, thecanopy 16 is extended to a first position in which it is suitable foruse by a single person. In FIG. 2, the canopy 16 is extended to a secondposition, wider than the first position, and can be locked into thatposition. In FIG. 5, the canopy 16 is extended into a third position,similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and suitably wide for twopeople. The canopy 16 is preferably lockable in each position.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a cross section of the pole 14 in which awire 30 that extends through the pole 14 and out an opening in a topthereof is visible. In this case, the ring 20 is used to apply a forceto the wire 30. The wire 30 is, in turn, connected to the risers 18 andis used to pull them outward into the three positions illustrated inFIGS. 3-5. In a preferred embodiment, the ring 20 is lockable in placealong the pole 14 to maintain the canopy 16 in the desired positions.When the ring 20 is pulled all the way down, as illustrated in FIG. 6,for example, the canopy will be in the position of FIG. 5 since therisers 18 are fully extended. As the ring 20 is moved up, tension on thewire 30 decreases and the risers 18 begin to fold and the canopy 16retracts.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an umbrella 110 inaccordance with another embodiment of the present application. Thecanopy 116 (See FIG. 15-17, for example) is not illustrated in FIG. 7,however, the canopy is preferably connected to and extends over, or inbetween, the spars 118. The umbrella 110 is illustrated in FIG. 7 in aclosed state. In this embodiment, a main pole 114 is provided in amanner similar to that of the pole 14 described above. A secondary pole114 a is connected to the pole 114 via a lower collar, or other movablemember, 120 a. The secondary pole 114 a is positioned adjacent to thepole 114 and extends substantially parallel thereto in the closedposition illustrated in FIG. 7. The secondary pole 114 a is preferablypivotally connected to the shaft 114 at the lower collar, 120 a at pivotpoint 120 b. A handle 160 may be provided at the bottom of the firstvertical pole 114, if desired. See FIG. 14, for example.

An upper secondary collar, or other movable member, 120 is configured tomove up and down the pole 114 to raise and lower the spars 118. As thecollar 120 slides up pole 114, the spars 118 extend outward into thefirst open position illustrated in FIG. 8, for example. In thisconfiguration, the spars 118 are spaced sufficiently away from the posts114, 114 a such that the canopy 116 provides a first area of coveragesuitable for a single person. Specifically, the collar 120 and the spars118 are connected via the risers 119. As the collar 120 moves up theshaft 114, the risers 119 pivot outward to extend the spars 118 up andout to the first open position illustrated in FIG. 8. The spars 118 onone side of FIG. 8 extend out from the first pole 114, while the sparson the other side of FIG. 8 extend out from the secondary pole 114 a.More specifically, these spars extend from the top portion 114 d of thesecondary pole 114 a. In a preferred embodiment, a latch 150 (see FIGS.8-9, for example) on the pole 114 releasably holds the collar 120 inplace on the pole 114 to maintain the umbrella 110 in the first openposition. While a latch 150 is illustrated, a depression, recess,protuberance or any other suitable stop may be used in place of latch150. While not explicitly illustrated, a spring may be provided on thepole 114 to aid lifting the collar 120 into place such that the umbrella110 is in the first open position, as is common in conventionalumbrellas. Pressing a button, or other release, preferably in handle 160of the umbrella 110 may trigger the upward motion of the collar 120under bias of the spring.

As is illustrated in FIG. 9, however, the umbrella 110 may be openedfurther to cover an additional user. The collar 120 preferably includestwo elements, 220, 222. The first element 220 slides up and down theshaft 114 and is releasably connected to the shaft 114 a. The secondelement 222 is connected to the shaft 114 a and positioned over theportion of the element 220 that connects to shaft 114 a in the closedposition. This second element 222 separates from element 220 to allowfor the further expansion of the canopy 116 to provide a second coveragearea suitable for covering a second person. The initial stage of thisseparation is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

As can be seen in FIG. 10, a pivot point 114 b is provided in shaft 114a just below the second element 222 of the collar 120. This pivot point114 b is not visible in FIGS. 7 and 8 since the portion of element 220connected to the pole 114 a covers it. As noted above, the shafts 114,114 a remain substantially parallel to each other while the umbrella isin the closed position. This relationship is also maintained in thefirst open position of FIG. 8. Thereafter, middle section 114 c of thepole 114 a rotates outward relative to the pole 114 between pivot points120 b and 114 b. The top portion 114 d of the pole 114 a remainssubstantially parallel to pole 114, however, is separated therefrom asthe middle section 114 c rotates.

As noted above, some of the spars 118 are connected to the pole 114 a,while some are connected to pole 114. In the first open position, thepoles 114, 114 a are positioned relatively close together such that thearea under the open spars 118 is large enough to accommodate a singleuser. As the umbrella 110 opens further, as is noted above, the topportion 114 d of the pole 114 a moves away from the pole 114. Thus, thearea under the spars 118 increases.

The risers 119 are more specifically connected between the first andsecond collar elements 220, 222 and the spars 118. As illustrated inFIG. 9, once the first open position is reached, the risers 119 and thespars 118 are in their open position. Separating the top portion 114 dof pole 114 a from the pole 114 increases the area under the spars 118.This is accomplished via the scissors, or accordion structure, 140illustrated in FIG. 11, for example.

The scissors structure 140 is connected between the two poles 114 a,114. More specifically, the scissors structure 140 is connected on oneside to the bracket 122 a and the top portion 114 d of pole 114 a. Thesecond side of the structure 140 is connected to the top of pole 114 andthe bracket 122. The brackets 122 a, 122 are mounted above the elements222, 220, respectively, of the collar 120 on the poles 114 a, 114. Thebrackets 122 a, 122 are mounted on the poles 114 a, 114, respectively,such that they are slidable up and down the poles to allow for expansionof the scissors structure 140, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, forexample. As illustrated, as the scissors structure 140 expands laterallyto space the top portion 114 d of the pole 114 a away from the pole 114,the brackets 122 a, 122 slide up the poles 114 d, 114.

In one embodiment, the brackets 122 a, 122 may be spring loaded toseparate when desired. The brackets 122 a, 122 are preferably connectedto each other while the umbrella 110 is in the closed position of FIG. 7and the first open position of FIG. 8. In one embodiment, illustrated inFIG. 10, for example, a pin 322 a extends out from the bracket 122 ainto a receptacle 322 b formed in the bracket 122. The pin 322 apreferably includes a notch that mates with a release trigger, or latchwithin the bracket 122 to latch the brackets together. This latch isreleasable when desired, via a button in the handle of the umbrella 110,for example, or any other suitable release. Once released, the brackets122 a, 122 are separable from each other, and thus, separate the topportion 114 d of the pole 114 a from the pole 114. A spring (not shown)may be provided to bias the brackets 122 a, 122 away from each otherafter the latch is released. In another embodiment, the pin 322 a issimply fit into the receptacle 322 b, with no notch or latch mechanism.

Alternatively, or in addition, movement of the lower collar 120 a up theshaft 114 may be used to urge the bracket 122 a away from the bracket122 as is illustrated in FIG. 11, for example. As the collar 120 a movesup pole 114, the middle portion 114 c of the shaft 114 a pivots outwardto extend the top portion 114 d of the pole 114 a further away from thepole 114 in the lateral direction. Similarly, movement of the lowercollar 120 a down the pole 114 will pull the bracket 122 a towardbracket 122 to return the umbrella 110 to the first open position.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the scissors structure 140 expands to asecond open position where the top portion 114 d of the pole 114 a isseparated from the pole 114 by a maximum distance D. The lower collar120 a is preferably releasably held in place in the second open positionvia a latch 152 on the pole 114, in a manner similar to the collar 120,noted above. Alternatively, a slot, recess, depression, protuberance orother stop may be provided on the pole 114 to resist downward movementof the collar 120 a, as desired. The canopy 116 includes additionalmaterial that will cover the expanded area between the poles 114 a, 114such that in the second open position, illustrated in FIG. 12, theentire area under the spars 118, including the area under the scissorsstructure 140 is covered by the canopy. Additional support spars 118 a,not connected to the poles 114 a, 114 may be provided in the canopy toprovide support in this expanded area, if desired. See FIG. 14, forexample. The spars 118 a may be supported by support members 142 on thetop of the scissors structure 140 (See FIGS. 11-12, for example). As aresult, the canopy 116 will cover at least two users in the second openposition.

FIG. 13A is a more detailed view of the lower collar 120 a, the collar120, including elements 220, 222 and the brackets 122 a, 122 in theclosed position and in the first open position. As illustrated, thecollar element 222 may also include a pin 222 a that fits in areceptacle 220 a formed in the collar element 220. A notch isillustrated formed on the pin 222 a which may be used to latch thecollar elements together, if desired, in a manner similar to thatdescribed above with respect to brackets 122 a, 122. A spring (notshown) may also be provided to bias the brackets 122 a, 122 away fromeach other. In another embodiment, the notch may be removed from the pin222 a.

FIG. 13B illustrates the same elements of FIG. 13A at the point wherethe umbrella 110 begins to move from the first open position to thesecond open position, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-10, for example. Thatis, FIG. 13B shows a more detailed view of the brackets 122 a, 122,collar elements 222, 220 and lower bracket 120 a, as the umbrella 110begins to transition from the first open position of FIG. 8 to thesecond open position of FIG. 12.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, additional scissorsstructures 140 a, 140 b may be provided between opposing risers 119connected to the posts 114 d, 114. The additional scissors structures140 a, 140 b help to support the spars 118 a provided in the expandedsection of the canopy, for example.

FIG. 15 illustrates the umbrella 110, with the canopy 116 connected tothe spars 118 in the closed position. FIG. 16 illustrates the umbrella110, with the canopy 116 in the first open position. FIG. 17 illustratesthe umbrella 110 with the canopy 116 in the second open position.

In a preferred embodiment, the umbrella 10, 110 is movable between theclosed position, first open position and second open positionautomatically. It is common for conventional umbrellas to be openableupon pressing a button in the handle, as is noted above. This buttonreleases a latch and allows the canopy, which is typically biased in theopen position via a spring to open. As is noted above, a similararrangement may be provided in the umbrella 10, 110 to move the umbrellainto the first open position from the closed position.

As is also noted above, a spring may also be provided between the firstand second elements 220, 222 of the first collar and/or the first andsecond brackets 122 a, 122. Once the latch holding them together isreleased, they will separate by action of the spring to open theumbrella to the second open position. The latch is preferably alsoreleased by operation of a button, or other release in or near thehandle 160. While springs are commonly used to move the canopy, anysuitable actuator may be used, including but not limited to electricmotors and/or hydraulic pistons.

While the umbrella 10, 110 of the present application is illustrated asa hand held rain umbrella, it is not limited to this embodiment and maybe a beach umbrella, or patio umbrella for example. In addition,additional open positions may be provided to extend the coverage of theumbrella in multiple directions. That is, the umbrella may be extendableto additional open positions in additional directions to further extendthe coverage area provided under the canopy 116. This would beparticularly useful when the umbrella is a beach or patio umbrella.

Accordingly, the umbrella 10, 110 of the present application includes atleast two open positions, which allow a user to use it for one person,or two people, as they desire. In the first open position, the canopy16, 116 opens to cover a single, user. In the second open position, thecanopy 16, 116 extends to cover at least one additional user.

Although the present invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

1. An umbrella comprising: a first vertical shaft; a plurality of sparspivotably mounted on the first vertical shaft; and a canopy connected tothe spars; wherein the spars are movable from a closed position to afirst open position to provide a first area of protection under thecanopy; and wherein at least one spar of the plurality of spars ismovable to a second open position from the first open position toprovide a second area of protection, larger than the first area ofprotection.
 2. The umbrella of claim 1, further comprising: a firstmovable member slidable along the first vertical shaft; and a pluralityof risers connected between the first movable member and the pluralityof spars, wherein each riser of the plurality of risers is pivotallyconnected to the first movable member on a bottom end thereof andpivotally connected to a single spar of the plurality of spars at a topend thereof such that each riser rotates outward with respect to thefirst vertical shaft as the first movable member slides up the firstvertical shaft to raise the spars into the first open position andprovide the first area of protection under the canopy.
 3. The umbrellaof claim 2, further comprising: a second movable member mounted on thefirst vertical shaft below the first movable member; and a secondvertical shaft connected at a bottom end thereof to the second movablemember and extending substantially parallel to the first vertical shaftwhen the umbrella is in the closed position and the first open position.4. The umbrella of claim 3, wherein the first movable member furthercomprises: a first element mounted on the first vertical shaft andremovably connected to the second vertical shaft; and a second element,removably attached to the first element and mounted on the secondvertical shaft, the second element positioned above the pivot point inthe first open position and including a pivot point formed therein adistance from the second movable member.
 5. The umbrella of claim 4,wherein the second vertical shaft further comprises a middle sectionpivotally connected to the second movable member on a bottom end thereofand to the pivot point on a top end thereof, the pivot point positionedbelow the first element of the first movable member.
 6. The umbrella ofclaim 5, wherein the second vertical shaft further comprises a topportion extending above the pivot point substantially parallel to thefirst vertical shaft, at least one spar of the plurality of sparspivotally connected to the top portion of the second vertical shaft. 7.The umbrella of claim 6, further comprising: a first bracket mounted onthe first vertical shaft above the first element of the first movablemember when the spars are in the first open position, the first bracketconfigured to slide on the first vertical shaft; a second bracketmounted on the top portion of the second vertical shaft, the secondbracket configured to slide on the top portion of the second verticalbracket; and a scissors structure connected on a first end to the top ofthe first vertical shaft and the first bracket and on a second end,laterally opposite the first end, connected to the top portion of thesecond vertical shaft and to the second bracket, the scissors structureconfigured to expand in a lateral direction to separate the top portionof the second vertical shaft from the first vertical shaft.
 8. Theumbrella of claim 7, wherein the first and second brackets slide up thefirst vertical shaft and the top portion of the second vertical shaft,respectively, as the scissors structure expands.
 9. The umbrella ofclaim 7, wherein the second movable member slides up the first verticalshaft to expand the scissors structure to position the at least one sparin the second open position.
 10. The umbrella of claim 9, furthercomprising a first stop positioned on the first vertical shaft to holdthe second movable member in place when the at least one spar reachesthe second open position.
 11. The umbrella of claim 1, furthercomprising a second stop positioned on the first vertical shaftconfigured to hold the first movable member substantially in place whenthe umbrella is in the first open position.
 12. The umbrella of claim 1,further comprising a handle positioned at a bottom end of the firstvertical shaft.
 13. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond movable members are movable members slidable up and down thefirst vertical shaft.
 14. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein the pluralitythe spars are pivotally mounted on a top end of the first verticalshaft.
 15. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein at least a second spar ofthe plurality of spars is movable to a third open position to provide athird area of protection larger than the first area of protection andthe second area of protection.
 16. A method of operating an umbrellacomprising the steps of: providing a first vertical shaft; mounting acanopy on the first vertical shaft, raising the canopy from a closedposition to a first open position with a first protected area under thecanopy; and moving at least a portion of the canopy from the first openposition to a second open position with a second protected area underthe canopy, the second protected area larger than the first protectedarea.
 17. The method of operating an umbrella according to claim 16,further comprising the steps of: returning the canopy to the first openposition; and lowering the canopy to the closed position.
 18. The methodof operating an umbrella according to claim 16, wherein the step ofmounting the canopy further comprises the steps of: connecting aplurality of spars to a top end of the first vertical shaft, each sparof the plurality of spars pivotable outward away from the first verticalshaft; and attaching the canopy to the plurality of spars.
 19. Themethod of operating an umbrella according to claim 18, wherein theraising step further comprises the steps of: providing a first movablemember on the first vertical shaft; providing a plurality of risers;connecting a bottom end of each riser of the plurality of risers to thefirst movable member and a top end of each riser of the plurality to oneof the plurality of spars; and moving the first movable member up thefirst vertical shaft to raise the spars up and away from the firstvertical shaft into the first open position.
 20. The method of operatingan umbrella according to claim 19, wherein the step of moving at least aportion of the canopy further comprises the steps of: mounting a secondmovable member on the first vertical shaft below the first movablemember; providing a second vertical shaft with a pivot point; andconnecting a bottom end of the second vertical shaft to the secondmovable member such that the second vertical shaft extends substantiallyparallel to the first vertical shaft when the umbrella is in the closedposition and the first open position and is pivotable away from theumbrella between the pivot point and the second movable member to moveat least a portion of the canopy away from the first vertical shaft tothe second open position.
 21. The method of operating an umbrellaaccording to claim 20, wherein the step of moving at least a portion ofthe canopy further comprises the steps of: providing a first element ofthe first movable member mounted on the first vertical shaft andremovably connected to the second vertical shaft; providing a secondelement of the first movable member removably attached to the firstelement and mounted on the second vertical shaft, the second elementpositioned above the pivot point in the first open position; and movingthe second movable member up the first vertical shaft to separate thesecond element of the first movable member from the first element of thefirst movable member and move at least a portion of the canopy to thesecond open position.
 22. The method of operating an umbrella of claim16, further comprising a step of moving at least a second portion of thecanopy to a third open position with a third protected area under thecanopy, the third protected area larger than the first protected areaand the second protected area.
 23. An umbrella comprising: a firstvertical shaft; a second vertical shaft; a plurality of spars pivotablymounted on the first vertical shaft; at least one spar pivotally mountedon the second vertical shaft; a canopy connected to the spars; a firstmovable member mounted on the first vertical shaft and configured tomove on the first vertical shaft to raise the spars from a closedposition to a first open position to provide a first area of protectionunder the canopy; and a second movable member mounted on the firstvertical shaft and configured to move on the first vertical shaft tomove the at least one spar of the plurality of spars to a second openposition from the first open position to provide a second area ofprotection, larger than the first area of protection.